Ok I hope these 2 pictures help. I don't feel conferable taking it apart more than this without detailed reliable instructions. I can still deal with the problem if it's too risky to extract the diode because I can always get it to work after much fiddling. But it is annoying.

Ok warranty won't work because you have to report a defect within seven days of receiving the product and its been more than three weeks since then. So before I try to take anything apart, where is a good place to buy a 5mw 405nm laser diode? Oh and you are right about the focusing. I noticed that when I first used it that the dot was a little large at a distance.

If you can get to the window, and it is loose, it may be possible to use a very small amount of U.V. activated glue which is optically safe. Place a very small amount on the end of a thin piece of wire, try to get the window to shift to the side so you can access the edge where the original glue is located. Place a small dab over the original glue and while holding the laser upside down (window facing downward) try to manage to shift the window back to it's original place with something small and rubber tipped (maybe the back end of a push pin). In all reality it may cost more for the glue and time spent than simply replacing the diode, but it's worked for me a couple times. Of course you will likely need an eye loupe to see what your doing and once it's back in place simply turning it on should set the glue. I hope I could help, take care and good luck!

Ok so right now I need to know where to buy a 405nm diode because it seems like repairing the current diode would be difficult. Also I need to know how to get the internal components out of the tube without damaging anything. Any help with these two questions would be greatly appreciated. I've never taken apart a laser before.

I was looking in the BST forum here and noticed someone talking about the same laser you have on ebay. Look under Laser Pointers. Starting about $5.95. I don't think you will find a new diode for that price and if you don't have good soldering tools, you are likely doomed on fixing it yourself.
Normally, the module assembly in the tube pushes out toward the front. Be carefull what you use and where you push so you don't damage the driver board which is connected to the rear of the laser module.

If it's just 5mW you're better buying a new one. They are so damn cheap on dealextreme.com, plus a new diode will sure cost you near the whole pointer cost.

I really can't help you about this exact pointer because I've never had one, only the greenies and it seems that they are mounted different (judging by the photos).

Keep in mind that a part from the 2 mirrors and the lasing medium (which only produces coherent and monochrome light), it needs to be focused or it would look like a simple flashlight, the diode output isn't focused. here's the point in which one of two extra lens are used to focus it, which I guess that are the ones that are dirty.

Again, I've never owned or seen one of these, I can't really tell.

Yours,
Albert

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That 5 mW power got we wondering what the diode is. Looking back through my records, I found long ago, we started with a KES-400 sled. It had one laser inside which housed Blu, Red and IR in one 5 leaded 5.6 mm case. The blu was capable of about 20 mW max and as I recall, we ran them at 15 mW. I actually have 1 new KES-400 sled left here but you will have to harvest the diode and install it in your module - provided it takes the 5.6 mm device. Since these Blu lasers run at about 4.7 volts, I suspect yours is under driven and puts out only 5 mW.

HMike

I appears to me that there is a single output focus lens down in there similar to an Aixiz style module. When assembled, you will have fixed focus.
This is what the focusable business end of my "Purple People Eaters" looks like.

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Last edited by Hemlock_Mike; 01-10-2010 at 09:50 PM.
Reason: New stuff